Self-adjusting frame for mounting over a wall-mounted electrical device

ABSTRACT

A mounting frame may be configured as a self-adjusting mounting frame that biases itself against a surface of structure. The mounting frame may be a component, for example, of a remote control device or a faceplate assembly. The mounting frame may be configured to bias a rear surface of the mounting frame against the surface of a structure. The mounting frame may include biasing members. Each biasing member may include an attachment portion and a pair of resilient spring arms that suspend the attachment portion relative to a perimeter wall of the mounting frame such that the attachment portion is spaced further from the rear surface of the mounting frame than locations where the spring arms extend from the mounting frame. The rear surface of the mounting frame may be defined by the perimeter wall.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/530,474, filed Aug. 2, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/468,661, filed Mar. 24, 2017, which issued asU.S. Pat. No. 10,410,802, on Sep. 10, 2019, which claims the benefit ofprovisional U.S. patent application No. 62/312,863, filed Mar. 24, 2016,the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND

Wall-mounted control devices, such as standard mechanical switches(e.g., traditional toggle switches, decorator paddle switches, etc.),load control devices (e.g., dimmers, electronic switches, sensorswitches, timers, etc.), and system control devices (e.g., remotecontrol devices, keypads, sensors, etc.) may be mounted in electricalwallboxes. Typically, such wall-mounted control devices may comprise amounting yoke adapted to be connected to the wallbox, for instance viaone or more mounting screws. Additionally, a wall-mounted control devicemay include a faceplate that may be attached to the mounting yoke (e.g.,via one or more faceplate screws) for enclosing the electrical wallboxand hiding the mounting yoke from view. However, if the electricalwallbox is not installed correctly, for example such that the wallbox ismisaligned with respect to a surface of adjoining structure, such aswallboard, when the faceplate is attached to the yoke it may beangularly offset relative to the surface of the structure, and/ortightening the faceplate screws may cause the outer surface of thefaceplate to become warped. One or both of these conditions may cause agap to form between the faceplate and the wall, which may beaesthetically displeasing.

SUMMARY

As described herein, a mounting frame may be configured as aself-adjusting mounting frame that biases itself against a surface ofstructure. In an example implementation, the mounting frame may beconfigured as a component of a remote control device, such that acontrol unit and a faceplate are releasably attachable to the mountingframe.

The remote control device may be configured to control one or moreelectrical loads, such as lighting loads, and/or load control devices.The remote control device may be configured to be mounted over theactuator of an existing mechanical switch that, for example, may controlwhether power is delivered to the one or more electrical loads. Theremote control device may be configured to transmit one or more commandsfor controlling the electrical loads and/or load control devices viawireless communication.

The mounting frame may be configured to be attached to the yoke of theexisting mechanical switch. The existing mechanical switch may beinstalled in an electrical wallbox. The mounting frame may include oneor more biasing members that are configured to bias a rear surface ofthe mounting frame against a surface of structure, such as a wallboardsurface that surrounds the wallbox. The one or more biasing members maybe configured to bias the rear surface of the mounting frame against anouter surface of the structure as the mounting frame is fastened to theyoke of the existing mechanical switch.

In an example configuration, the mounting frame may include two biasingmembers. Each biasing member may include an attachment portion and apair of resilient spring arms that suspend the attachment portionrelative to a perimeter wall of the mounting frame. Each attachmentportion may define an aperture that is configured to receive a faceplatescrew to secure the attachment portion against the yoke of themechanical switch. The biasing members may be configured such that therespective attachment portions are spaced further from the rear surfaceof the mounting frame than locations where the spring arms extend fromthe mounting frame.

In another example implementation, the mounting frame may be configuredas a component of a faceplate assembly that includes a faceplate. Thefaceplate assembly may be configured such that the faceplate may beremovably attached to the mounting frame. The mounting frame may beconfigured to be attached to a yoke of an installed wall-mounted controldevice, such as a mechanical switch or a dimmer switch. The mountingframe may include one or more biasing members that are configured tobias a rear surface of the mounting frame against a surface ofstructure, such as a wallboard surface that surrounds a wallbox in whichthe wall-mounted control device is installed. The one or more biasingmembers may be configured to bias the rear surface of the mounting frameagainst an outer surface of the structure as the mounting frame isfastened to the yoke of the wall-mounted control device.

In an example configuration, the mounting frame may include two biasingmembers. Each biasing member may include an attachment portion and apair of resilient spring arms that suspend the attachment portionrelative to a perimeter wall of the mounting frame. Each attachmentportion may define an aperture that is configured to receive a faceplatescrew to secure the attachment portion against the yoke of thewall-mounted control device. The biasing members may be configured suchthat the respective attachment portions are spaced further from the rearsurface of the mounting frame than locations where the spring armsextend from the mounting frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example remote control device.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the example remote control deviceillustrated in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3A is an exploded rear perspective view of a control unit componentof the example remote control device illustrated in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 3B is an exploded front perspective view of the control unitcontrol unit component of the example remote control device illustratedin FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the control unit componentillustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, in an assembled configuration.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a mounting frame component and thecontrol unit component of the example remote control device illustratedin FIG. 2 .

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of a faceplate component of theexample remote control device illustrated in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 7 is a front view of the mounting frame and control unit componentsof the example remote control device illustrated in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 8A is a front view of the example remote control device illustratedin FIG. 1 .

FIG. 8B is a side view of the example remote control device illustratedin FIG. 1 .

FIG. 8C is a top view of the example remote control device illustratedin FIG. 1 .

FIG. 9 is a side section view of the example remote control deviceillustrated in FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an example remote control device 100 that may beinstalled in a load control system, such as a lighting control system.The load control system may include a mechanical switch 170 that may bein place prior to installation of the remote control device 100, forexample pre-existing in the load control system. As shown, themechanical switch 170 may be a standard decorator paddle switch. Theload control system may further include one or more electrical loads,such as lighting loads. The mechanical switch 170 may be coupled inseries electrical connection between an alternating current (AC) powersource and the one or more electrical loads. The mechanical switch 170may include an actuator 172 that may be actuated to turn on and/or turnoff, the one or more electrical loads. The mechanical switch 170 mayinclude a yoke 174 that enables mounting of the mechanical switch 170 toa structure. For example, the yoke 174 of the illustrated mechanicalswitch 170 may be fastened to a single-gang wallbox that is installed inan opening of a wall.

The load control system may further include a load control device thatis electrically connected to the one or more electrical loads. The loadcontrol device may include a load control circuit for controlling theintensity of one or more of the electrical loads between a low endintensity (e.g., approximately 1%) and a high-end intensity (e.g.,approximately 100%), and may include a wireless communication circuit.In an example implementation, the load control device may be astandalone dimmer switch that is electrically connected to the one ormore electrical loads. In another example implementation, each of theone more electrical loads may include a respective integrated loadcontrol circuit and wireless communication circuit, such that eachelectrical load includes a corresponding load control device that isconfigured for wireless communication. It should be appreciated that theload control system is not limited to the example load control devicesdescribed herein.

As shown, the example remote control device 100 may include a mountingframe 110, a control unit 130, and a faceplate 160. The mounting frame110 may alternatively be referred to as an adapter. Prior toinstallation of the remote control device 100, a pre-existing faceplate(not shown) may be removed from the mechanical switch 170, for instanceby removing faceplate screws (not shown) from corresponding faceplatescrew holes 176 in the yoke 174. The mounting frame 110 may beconfigured to be attached to the yoke 174 of the mechanical switch 170.For example, the mounting frame 110 may be secured to the yoke 174 usingfasteners, such as screws 111 (e.g., faceplate screws) that areinstalled into the faceplate screw holes 176 in the yoke 174.

As shown, the mounting frame 110 may define an opening 112 that extendstherethrough. The opening 112 may be configured to receive a portion ofthe mechanical switch 170 that may include, for example, the actuator172 and a bezel 173 that surrounds a perimeter of the actuator 172. Themounting frame 110 may include a perimeter wall 113. As shown, theperimeter wall 113 may have a rectangular shape defined by a first endwall 115, an opposed second end wall 117, and opposed side walls 119that extend from the first end wall 115 to the second end wall 117. Inaccordance with the illustrated orientation of the mounting frame 110,the first end wall 115 may be referred to as an upper wall at an upperend of the mounting frame 110 and the second end wall 117 may bereferred to as a lower end wall at a lower end of the mounting frame110. As shown, the mounting frame 110 may define four corners. Inaccordance with the illustrated orientation of the mounting frame 110,the corners defined where the side walls 119 meet the first end wall 115may be referred to as upper corners of the mounting frame 110 and thecorners defined where the side walls 119 meet the second end wall 117may be referred to as lower corners of the mounting frame 110. As shown,the perimeter wall 113 of the mounting frame 110 may define a rearsurface 114 that is configured to abut a surface of a structure to whichthe mechanical switch 170 is installed, such as an outer surface ofwallboard that surrounds a wallbox in which the mechanical switch 170 isinstalled. The mounting frame 110 may be made of any suitable material,such as plastic. It should be appreciated that the mounting frame 110 isnot limited to the illustrated rectangular geometry, and that themounting frame may alternatively be configured with other suitablegeometries.

The mounting frame 110 may be configured to enable removable attachmentof the control unit 130 to the mounting frame 110. For example, themounting frame 110 may define one or more attachment members that areconfigured to engage with complementary features of the control unit130. As shown, the mounting frame 110 may define one or more resilientsnap fit connectors 116 that are configured to engage with complementaryfeatures of the control unit 130. The mounting frame 110 may beconfigured to enable removable attachment of the faceplate 160 to themounting frame 110. For example, the mounting frame 110 may define oneor more attachment members that are configured to engage withcomplementary features of the faceplate 160. As shown, the mountingframe 110 may define one or more resilient snap fit connectors 118 thatare configured to engage with complementary features of the faceplate160.

The faceplate 160 may define a front surface 161 and an opposed rearsurface 163. The front surface 161 may alternatively be referred to asan outer surface of the faceplate 160, and the rear surface 163 mayalternatively be referred to as an inner surface of the faceplate 160.The faceplate 160 may define an opening 162 that extends therethroughand that is configured to receive a portion of the control unit 130,such that the control unit 130 protrudes proud of the faceplate 160 whenthe remote control device 100 is in an assembled configuration. Asshown, the faceplate 160 may define recessed ledges 164 (e.g., as shownin FIG. 6 ) that are configured to engage with corresponding ones of thesnap fit connectors 118 of the mounting frame 110, to releasably attachthe faceplate 160 to the mounting frame 110. The faceplate 160 may bemade of any suitable material, such as plastic.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the control unit 130 may include a cover132, an insert 134 that is configured to be received in the cover 132,and a flexible circuit board 136 that may be configured to be wrappedaround a portion of the insert 134. The cover 132 and the insert 134 maybe made of any suitable material, such as plastic. The illustratedcontrol unit 130 is rectangular in shape and is elongate between a firstend 131 and an opposed second end 133. It should be appreciated that thecontrol unit 130 is not limited to the illustrated rectangular geometry,and that the control unit may alternatively be configured with othersuitable geometries. In accordance with the illustrated orientation ofthe control unit 130, the first end 131 may be referred to as an upperend of the control unit 130 and the second end 133 may be referred to asa lower end of the control unit 130. The first and second ends 131, 133of the control unit 130 may also be referred to as first and second endsof the cover 132, respectively. The cover 132 may define a void 138 thatis configured to receive the insert 134 with the flexible circuit board136 wrapped around the insert 134 in an attached position. The cover 132may define an inner surface 142 and an opposed outer surface 144. Theouter surface 144 of the cover 132 may alternatively be referred to as afront surface of the cover 132, and more generally as an outer surfaceof the control unit 130.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 , the mounting frame 110 may be configured tobias the rear surface 114 of the mounting frame 110 against a surface ofa structure to which the mechanical switch 170 is installed, such as anouter surface of wallboard that surrounds a wallbox in which themechanical switch 170 is installed. For example, as shown, the mountingframe 110 defines a pair of biasing members 120 that are configured tobias the rear surface 114 of the mounting frame 110 against the surfaceof the structure as mounting frame 110 is fastened to the yoke 174 ofthe mechanical switch 170 via attachment of the biasing members 120 tothe yoke 174.

Each biasing member 120 may include an attachment portion 122 that issuspended from the mounting frame 110 by a pair of resilient spring arms124, such that the attachment portion 122 is spaced forward from therear surface 114 of the mounting frame 110. The attachment portions 122of the illustrated biasing members define a flat, rectangular plateshape. The attachment portion 122 of each biasing member 120 may beconfigured for attachment to the yoke 174 of the mechanical switch 170.For example, as shown each attachment portion 122 defines an aperture126 that extends therethrough and that is configured to receive acorresponding one of the screws 111.

In accordance with the illustrated configuration, the spring arms 124are configured to suspend the attachment portions 122 of the biasingmembers 120 relative to the perimeter wall 113 of the mounting frame110. As shown, the mounting frame 110 defines two pairs of tabs 121 thatextend inward from the perimeter wall 113 into the opening 112. Theillustrated mounting frame 110 includes a first pair of tabs 121 locatedat the upper corners of the mounting frame 110 and a second pair of tabs121 located at the lower corners of the mounting frame 110. Each springarm 124 extends from the attachment portion 122 of a respective one ofthe biasing members 120 to a corresponding one of the tabs 121 locatedin the corners of the mounting frame 110. In this regard, the fourcorners of perimeter wall 113 of the mounting frame 110 are effectivelyindependently suspended relative to each other by the attachmentportions 122.

In accordance with the illustrated configuration of the biasing members120, the spring arms 124 may define respective curved geometries (e.g.,S-shaped) between the tabs 121 and the attachment portions 122. Thebiasing members 120 may be configured such that the attachment portions122 are spaced further from the rear surface 114 of the mounting frame110 than are the respective locations where the tabs 121 extend from theperimeter wall 113. For example, as shown the tabs 121 and the springarms 124 are sloped upward relative to the rear surface 114 of themounting frame 110 between the perimeter wall 113 and the attachmentportions 122. More specifically, the tabs 121 and spring arms 124 slopecontinually upward with increasing distance from the corresponding sidewalls 119. As shown, the biasing members 120 are configured such thatthe respective attachment portions 122 are equally spaced from the rearsurface 114 of the mounting frame 110. It should be appreciated that themounting frame 110 is not limited to the illustrated biasing membergeometry, and that one or more portions of the biasing members 120, suchas one or more of the tabs 121, the attachment portions 122, and thespring arms 124, may alternatively be configured with other suitablegeometries.

In an example process of attaching the mounting frame 110 to the yoke174 of the mechanical switch 170, screws 111 may be driven through theapertures 126 of the attachment portions 122 and into the faceplatescrew holes 176 of the yoke 174. As the screws 111 are driven in, theheads of screws 111 may pull the attachment portions 122 of the biasingmembers 120 toward the structure. As one or more portions of the rearsurface 114 of the mounting frame 110 make contact with a surface of thestructure, the spring arms 124 of the biasing members 120 may deflect,such that forces are applied to the perimeter wall 113 via the tabs 121,thereby biasing the rear surface 114 of the mounting frame 110 againstthe outer surface of the structure.

The biasing forces applied by the spring arms 124 may allow the mountingframe 110 to self-adjust during installation to compensate forinstallation defects of the mechanical switch 170 (e.g., improperalignment of the wallbox in the structure, etc.), abnormalities of thestructure itself (e.g., unevenness of the surface of the structure), orthe like. Operation of the biasing members 120 may allow substantiallyan entirety of the rear surface 114 of the mounting frame 110 to makecontact with the surface of the structure, such that gaps between themounting frame 110 and the surface of the structure are minimized orprevented.

The control unit 130 may define a control interface, such as acapacitive touch user interface, that is configured to receive inputs,such as gestures, from a user of the remote control device 100. Forexample, the flexible circuit board 136 may include one or morecapacitive touch regions, or surfaces. As shown, the flexible circuitboard 136 includes a linear capacitive touch surface 140 that faces theinner surface 142 of the cover 132 when the flexible circuit board 136is wrapped around the insert 134 and disposed in the void 138. Thecapacitive touch surface 140 may be configured to detect touches alongan x axis, a y axis, or both an x and y axis.

The control unit 130 may further include a control circuit (not shown)and a wireless communication circuit (not shown). The control circuitand the wireless communication circuit may be mounted to the flexiblecircuit board 136, for example. The control circuit may be in electricalcommunication with the capacitive touch surface 140, and the wirelesscommunication circuit may be in electrical communication with thecontrol circuit. The flexible circuit board 136 may be configured towrap around the insert 134 such that the capacitive touch surface 140 isspaced from the control circuit, the wireless communication circuit,and/or other “noisy” circuitry of the flexible circuit board 136 along adirection that extends perpendicular to the outer surface 144 of thecover 132. This may improve operational efficiency of the capacitivetouch surface 140.

The control unit 130 may be configured to translate one or more inputsapplied via the capacitive touch surface 140 into respective controlsignals that may be used to control a load control device of a loadcontrol system. For example, the control circuit may be configured toreceive signals from the capacitive touch surface 140 that correspond toinputs, such as gestures, applied to the capacitive touch surface 140 bya user of the remote control device 100. The control circuit may beconfigured to interpret the signals into commands that the user desiresthe control unit 130 to cause to be executed.

The control circuit may be configured to recognize a plurality ofsignals received from the capacitive touch surface 140 that correspondto user inputs or gestures applied via the capacitive touch surface 140.The control unit 130 may be configured to provide a visual indicationassociated with inputs and/or gestures received by the capacitive touchsurface 140. For example, as shown, the control unit 130 may furtherinclude a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 146 that areconfigured to provide the visual indication. In accordance with theillustrated control unit 130, the plurality of LEDs 146 are arranged ina linear array that extends between the first and second ends 131, 133of the control unit 130, and may be attached to the flexible circuitboard 136 approximate to an outer edge thereof. The cover 132 may definean opening that allows light from one or more of the LEDs 146 to beemitted outward from an interior of the cover 132. For example, asshown, the cover 132 defines a narrow slot 148 that extends between thefirst and second 131, 133 of the cover 132. The cover 132 may include alight bar 149 (e.g., a light diffuser) that is disposed in the slot 148.The capacitive touch surface 140 may define a gap 141, for exampleapproximately midway between opposed sides of the flexible circuit board136 or near a side thereof. The control unit may further include a lightguide 150 that may be configured to diffuse light emitted from the LEDs146 through the gap 141 at respective locations along the slot 148. Thelight guide 150 may comprise light guide film, for example. It should beappreciated that the control unit 130 is not limited to the illustratedarray of LEDs 146 and/or the illustrated geometry of the slot 148.

The cover 132, the capacitive touch surface 140, the plurality of LEDs146, and the slot 148 may cooperate with one another to define acapacitive touch interface of the control unit 130, and more generallyof the remote control device 100. The capacitive touch interface may beconfigured to provide a visual indication of a command issued by theremote control device 100. For example, the capacitive touch interfacemay be configured to, upon receiving a gesture indicative of a commandto change an amount of power delivered to an electrical load, such as acommand to dim a lighting load of a lighting control system, indicatethe amount of power delivered to the electrical load by temporarilyilluminating a number of the plurality of LEDs 146 that corresponds withthe desired amount of power (e.g., the desired dimming level of thelighting load). In such an example, the control circuit may beconfigured to cause the LEDs 146 to be illuminated simultaneously, toilluminate sequentially with some or little overlap before fading, or tootherwise illuminate as desired.

The control unit 130 may be configured to be attached to the mountingframe 110 in multiple orientations, for example in accordance with aposition of the actuator 172 of the mechanical switch 170. For example,the insert 134 may be configured to, when received in the void 138 inthe cover 132, define a recess 152 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4 ) that isconfigured to receive a portion of the actuator 172 of the mechanicalswitch 170 when the control unit 130 is attached to the mounting frame110. As shown, the insert 134 may define a sloped surface 154 that atleast partially defines the recess 152. When the control unit 130 isattached to the mounting frame 110, the control unit 130 may be orientedsuch that the recess 152 is positioned over, and receives, a portion ofthe actuator 172 that protrudes from the mechanical switch 170. Toillustrate, if the actuator 172 is in a first position, such that thelower portion of the actuator 172 protrudes, the control unit 130 may beoriented such that the recess 152 is positioned to receive the lowerportion of the actuator 172. Alternatively, if the actuator 172 is in asecond position, such that the upper portion of the actuator 172protrudes, the control unit 130 may be oriented such that the recess 152is positioned to receive the upper portion of the actuator 172. In thisregard, the control unit 130 may be configured to be attached to themounting frame 110 in at least first and second orientations. As shown,the cover 132 of the control unit 130 may define slots 156 that areconfigured to receive and engage with corresponding ones of the snap fitconnectors 116 of the mounting frame 110, to releasably attach thecontrol unit 130 to the mounting frame 110. FIG. 5 illustrates themounting frame 110 with the control unit 130 attached thereto.

The control circuit may be configured to cause the wirelesscommunication circuit to transmit respective commands that correspond tointerpreted gestures received at the capacitive touch surface 140. Forexample, the remote control device 100 may be operable to transmitwireless signals, for example radio frequency (RF) signals, to a loadcontrol device, one or more electrical loads, and/or a central processorof a load control system. The remote control device 100 may beassociated with the load control device and the one or more electricalloads during a configuration procedure of the load control system. Anexample of a configuration procedure for associating a remote controldevice with a load control device is described in greater detail incommonly-assigned U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0111491, publishedMay 15, 2008, entitled “Radio-Frequency Lighting Control System,” theentire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The illustrated control unit 130 may be battery-powered. For example, asshown, the insert 134 may define a battery compartment 137 that isconfigured to retain a battery, for instance the illustrated coin cellbattery 180, such that the battery is placed in electrical communicationwith the flexible circuit board 136, for instance to power thecapacitive touch surface 140, the control circuit, the wirelesscommunication circuit, and/or other circuitry of the control unit 130.Alternatively, the control unit 130 may be configured to derive powerfrom a power source connected to the mechanical switch 170, such assource of AC power for example. The faceplate 160 may be configured tostore one or more spare batteries 180, for example in a void definedbetween an inner surface of the faceplate 160 and the mounting frame110.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A-8C, the mounting frame 110, the control unit130, and/or the faceplate 160 may be configured so as to be staggeredrelative to a surface of a structure to which the mechanical switch 170is installed, such as a wallboard surface that surrounds a wallbox inwhich the mechanical switch 170 is installed. For example, when themounting frame 110 is attached to the yoke 174 of the mechanical switch170 and the control unit 130 and the faceplate 160 are attached to themounting frame 110, the rear surface 163 of the faceplate 160 may bespaced from the rear surface 114 of the mounting frame 110 that abuts astructural surface (e.g., wallboard surface) through a first distance D1such that the faceplate 160 is spaced from the structural surface.Additionally, the front surface 161 of the faceplate 160 may be spacedfrom the rear surface 163 of the faceplate 160 through a second distanceD2, and the outer surface 144 of the control unit 130 may be spaced fromthe front surface 161 of the faceplate 160 through a third distance D3.

As shown, one or more components of the remote control device 100 (e.g.,the mounting frame 110, the control unit 130, and/or the faceplate 160)may be configured such that the first distance D1, the second distanceD2, and the third distance D3 may be substantially equal to each other.However it should be appreciated that one or more of the mounting frame110, the control unit 130, and/or the faceplate 160 may be otherwiseconfigured such that one or more of the first, second, and thirddistances D1, D2, D3 are different from each other. For example, if theremote control device 100 were alternatively configured to be attachedto the yoke of a standard single pole single throw (SPST) maintainedmechanical switch, such that the control unit would be configured topartially receive the toggle actuator of the switch, one or both of thefirst distance D1 and the second distance D2 may be longer.Additionally, if the remote control device 100 were alternativelyconfigured to be mounted over a wall-mounted product other than amechanical switch, such as over a dimmer switch or an electricalreceptacle, one or both of the first distance D1 and the second distanceD2 may be shorter.

In an alternative implementation, the mounting frame 110 mayalternatively be provided as a component of a faceplate assembly thatmay include, for example, the mounting frame 110 and the faceplate 160.The components of the faceplate assembly may be configured, for example,in accordance with those of the illustrated remote control device 100,with the control unit 130 omitted. In accordance with such animplementation, the mounting frame 110 may be configured to be attachedto a yoke of an installed wall-mounted control device, such as amechanical switch, a dimmer switch, or the like. The mounting frame ofthe faceplate assembly may include one or more biasing members that areconfigured to bias a rear surface of the mounting frame against asurface of structure, such as a wallboard surface that surrounds awallbox in which a wall-mounted control device is installed. Forexample, the mounting frame of the faceplate assembly may include a pairof biasing members 120 as illustrated and described herein. However, oneor more other features of the mounting frame of the faceplate assemblymay be alternatively configured. For example, the opening of themounting frame may be similarly or differently configured to receive acontrol interface of an installed wall-mounted control device (e.g., thecontrol interface of the switch device illustrated in U.S. Pat. No.4,835,343 entitled “Two Piece Face Plate for Wall Box Mounted Device”).In this regard, the wall-mounted control device may define the controlinterface. Additionally, such a mounting frame may be configured suchthat the snap fit connectors 116 omitted.

It should be appreciated that the mounting frame 110 is not limited tothe configuration illustrated and described herein, and that themounting frame may alternatively be configured with other suitablegeometries. For example, the mounting frame may alternatively beconfigured such that the perimeter wall is sized to be mounted over aninstalled light switch without removing the faceplate. In such aconfiguration, the perimeter wall may be dimensioned such that themounting plate fits over the faceplate of the installed light switch.During installation, the faceplate screws of the installed light switchcould be removed, and screws 111 could be used to secure the mountingframe to the yoke of the installed light switch without removing thefaceplate, such that the faceplate of the installed light switch isdisposed between the mechanical switch and the mounting frame.Additionally, it should be appreciated that the mounting frame may bealternatively configured to allow releasable attachment of control unitsother than the control unit 130, and that the faceplate 160 may bealternatively configured to allow releasable attachment of control unitsthereto.

It should further be appreciated that the example remote control device100 illustrated and described herein may provide a simple retrofitsolution for an existing switched control system, and may ease theinstallation of a load control system or enhance an existing loadcontrol system installation. A load control system that integrates theremote control device 100 may provide energy savings and/or advancedcontrol features, for example without requiring any electrical re-wiringand/or without requiring the replacement of any existing mechanicalswitches.

It should further still be appreciated that load control systems intowhich the example remote control device 100 may be integrated are notlimited to the example load control devices and/or electrical loadsdescribed above. For example, load control systems into which the remotecontrol device 100 may be integrated may include one or more of: adimming ballast for driving a gas-discharge lamp; a light-emitting diode(LED) driver for driving an LED light source; a dimming circuit forcontrolling the intensity of a lighting load; a screw-in luminaireincluding a dimmer circuit and an incandescent or halogen lamp; ascrew-in luminaire including a ballast and a compact fluorescent lamp; ascrew-in luminaire including an LED driver and an LED light source; anelectronic switch, controllable circuit breaker, or other switchingdevice for turning an appliance on and off; a plug-in load controldevice, controllable electrical receptacle, or controllable power stripfor controlling one or more plug-in loads; a motor control unit forcontrolling a motor load, such as a ceiling fan or an exhaust fan; adrive unit for controlling a motorized window treatment or a projectionscreen; one or more motorized interior and/or exterior shutters; athermostat for a heating and/or cooling system; a temperature controldevice for controlling a setpoint temperature of a heating, ventilation,and air-conditioning (HVAC) system; an air conditioner; a compressor; anelectric baseboard heater controller; a controllable damper; a variableair volume controller; a fresh air intake controller; a ventilationcontroller; hydraulic valves for use in one or more radiators of aradiant heating system; a humidity control unit; a humidifier; adehumidifier; a water heater; a boiler controller; a pool pump; arefrigerator; a freezer; a television and/or computer monitor; a videocamera; an audio system or amplifier; an elevator; a power supply; agenerator; an electric charger, such as an electric vehicle charger; analternative energy controller; and the like.

What is claimed is:
 1. A remote control device that is configured foruse in a load control system having a load control device, the loadcontrol device configured to control an amount of power delivered to anelectrical load that is electrically connected to the load controldevice, the remote control device comprising: a mounting frame that isconfigured to be attached to a yoke of a mechanical switch installed ina wallbox, wherein the mechanical switch controls whether power isdelivered to the electrical load, and wherein the mounting framecomprises a first opening that is configured to surround a bezel of themechanical switch when the mounting frame is attached to the yoke of themechanical switch, the mounting frame comprising a pair of tabs thatextend inward from a perimeter wall of the mounting frame, the mountingframe comprising a pair of resilient spring arms that are attached tothe perimeter wall via a respective one of the pair of tabs, wherein thepair of resilient spring arms extend into the opening, the pair ofresilient spring arms configured to bias a rear surface of the mountingframe against an outer surface of a structure that surrounds thewallbox, and wherein the mounting frame comprises an attachment portionthat is suspended from the perimeter wall of the mounting frame by thepair of resilient spring arms, the attachment portion configured toattach the mounting frame to the yoke of the mechanical switch; acontrol unit that is configured to be attached to the mounting frame,the control unit comprising a control interface and a wirelesscommunication circuit, the control unit configured to translate a userinput from the control interface into a control signal that controls theload control device, the control unit further configured to cause thewireless communication circuit to transmit the control signal; and afaceplate that is configured to be attached to the mounting frame, thefaceplate having a second opening that is configured to receive at leasta portion of the control interface.
 2. The remote control device ofclaim 1, wherein the pair of resilient spring arms are configured tobias the rear surface of the mounting frame against the outer surface ofthe structure as the mounting frame is fastened to the yoke of themechanical switch.
 3. The remote control device of claim 2, wherein theattachment portion defines an aperture that is configured to receive afaceplate screw to secure the attachment portion against the yoke of themechanical switch.
 4. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein theattachment portion is configured to be spaced further from the rearsurface of the mounting frame than respective locations where the tabsextend from the perimeter wall.
 5. The remote control device of claim 4,wherein the pair of resilient spring arms is a first pair of resilientspring arms, and wherein the mounting frame further comprises a secondpair of resilient spring arms that is configured to cooperate with thefirst pair of resilient spring arms to bias the rear surface of themounting frame against the outer surface of the structure.
 6. The remotecontrol device of claim 5, wherein the first pair of resilient springarms is located at an upper end of the perimeter wall and the secondpair of resilient arms is located at a lower end of the perimeter wall.7. The remote control device of claim 4, wherein the resilient springarms define respective curved geometries between the tabs and theattachment portion.
 8. A mounting frame that is configured to beattached to an installed mechanical switch that controls whether poweris delivered to an electrical load, the mounting frame comprising: anopening that is configured to surround a bezel of the mechanical switchwhen the mounting frame is attached to a yoke of the mechanical switch;a perimeter wall that defines a rear surface of the mounting frame; afirst pair of tabs that extend inward from the perimeter wall; a secondpair of tabs that extend inward from the perimeter wall; first andsecond pairs of resilient spring arms that are configured to bias therear surface of the mounting frame against an outer surface of astructure to which the mechanical switch is mounted, wherein the firstpair of resilient spring arms are attached to the perimeter wall via thefirst pair of tabs and extend into the opening, and wherein the secondpair of resilient spring arms are attached to the perimeter wall via thesecond pair of tabs and extend into the opening; a first attachmentportion that is suspended from the perimeter wall of the mounting frameby the first pair of resilient spring arms, the first attachment portiondefining a first aperture that extends therethrough; and a secondattachment portion that is suspended from the perimeter wall of themounting frame by the second pair of resilient spring arms, the secondattachment portion defining a second aperture that extends therethrough,wherein the first and second attachment portions are configured toattach the mounting frame to the yoke of the mechanical switch.
 9. Themounting frame of claim 8, wherein the first and second pairs ofresilient spring arms are configured to bias the rear surface of themounting frame against the outer surface of the structure as themounting frame is fastened to the yoke of the mechanical switch.
 10. Themounting frame of claim 9, wherein the first and second apertures areconfigured to receive respective faceplate screws to secure therespective first and second attachment portions against the yoke of themechanical switch.
 11. The mounting frame of claim 10, wherein the firstand second pairs of resilient spring arms cooperate to bias the rearsurface of the mounting frame against the outer surface of the structureas the respective faceplate screws are driven into corresponding screwholes of the yoke of the mechanical switch.
 12. A faceplate assemblycomprising: a mounting frame that is configured to be attached to a yokeof a wall-mounted control device installed in a wallbox, wherein themounting frame comprises a first opening that is configured to surrounda bezel of the wall-mounted control device when the mounting frame isattached to the yoke of the wall-mounted control device, and wherein themounting frame comprises a perimeter wall that defines a rear surface ofthe mounting frame, and wherein the mounting frame comprises a pair oftabs that extend inward from the perimeter wall of the mounting frame,and wherein the mounting frame comprises a pair of resilient spring armsthat are attached to the perimeter wall via a respective one of the pairof tabs and extend into the first opening, the pair of resilient springarms configured to bias a rear surface of the mounting frame against anouter surface of a structure that surrounds the wallbox, and wherein themounting frame comprises an attachment portion that is suspended fromthe perimeter wall of the mounting frame by the pair of resilient springarms, the attachment portion configured to attach the mounting frame tothe yoke of the wall-mounted control device; and a faceplate that isconfigured to be attached to the mounting frame, the faceplate having asecond opening that is configured to receive at least a portion of acontrol interface that controls an amount of power delivered to anelectrical load.
 13. The faceplate assembly of claim 12, wherein thecontrol interface is defined by a control unit that is configured to beattached to the mounting frame, the control unit including a wirelesscommunication circuit, the control unit configured to translate a userinput received by the control interface into a control signal thatcontrols the amount of power delivered to the electrical load, thecontrol unit further configured to cause the wireless communicationcircuit to transmit the control signal.
 14. The faceplate assembly ofclaim 13, wherein the wall-mounted control device comprises a mechanicalswitch.
 15. The faceplate assembly of claim 12, wherein the wall-mountedcontrol device defines the control interface.
 16. The faceplate assemblyof claim 12, wherein the pair of resilient spring arms is configured tobias the rear surface of the mounting frame against the outer surface ofthe structure as the mounting frame is fastened to the yoke of thewall-mounted control device.
 17. The faceplate assembly of claim 12,wherein the attachment portion defines an aperture that is configured toreceive a faceplate screw to secure the attachment portion against theyoke of the wall-mounted control device.
 18. The faceplate assembly ofclaim 12, wherein the pair of resilient spring arms is configured suchthat the attachment portion is spaced further from the rear surface thanrespective locations where the pair of resilient spring arms extend fromthe perimeter wall.